Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State has pledged to transform Zamfara into a major commercial center in northern Nigeria.

He made this promise on Thursday during the official start of construction work on the Gusau International Airport, a project led by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace, Festus Keyamo.

Lawal emphasized the significance of the new airport in a statement by his spokesperson, Sulaiman Bala Idris. The Gusau airport is designed to be a ‘smart airport’ capable of handling both domestic and international flights.

“The airport will have a modern terminal building with passenger facilities, including check-in counters, automated baggage handling systems, waiting areas, and Customs and Immigration services buildings,” said Lawal. He added that it would also feature “an air traffic control tower equipped with state-of-the-art communication and surveillance systems.”

The project will include a 3.4-kilometer primary runway for large commercial aircraft, runway lighting, navigational aids, maintenance hangars, fire and rescue stations, fuel storage facilities, and other essential infrastructure. Additionally, there will be a cargo wing and landscaping to enhance the airport’s aesthetic appeal.

Lawal noted, “The Gusau airport project is intended to be a smart airport designed to accommodate domestic and international flights, providing a critical gateway for the state and the entire region. It will have the capacity to land most aeroplanes and facilitate more accessible and efficient travel to and from Zamfara State, promoting social interaction, business, and tourism.”

The economic impact of the new airport is expected to be significant. “The economic benefits and multiplier effects of the Gusau airport project are quite enormous as it will have a tremendous impact on the ease of doing business and other social interactions in Zamfara State,” Lawal said. “It will also open direct air access to our state and eliminate the difficulties our businessmen and women often encounter in exporting and importing goods and services.”

Keyamo expressed his regret that Zamfara, despite being an agricultural hub, has lagged behind other North-West states in having a functional airport.

He said, “It is better late than never. An international journalist called me and asked whether Zamfara needed an airport. I firmly believe that having an airport in Zamfara is more than just a matter of commercial viability; it is a crucial social amenity for the people.”

Keyamo also looked forward to the future benefits of the airport, including Hajj operations. “I want to come here next year to flag off the Hajj operations. Intending pilgrims from Zamfara have suffered for many years in other states to board a plane to the Holy Land. It will never happen again. For that, my brother, Governor Dauda Lawal, I stand by you. I stand with you, and I stand with the people of Zamfara to make this a reality.”